Response to Medical Emergencies...Thanks to 911

3 weeks gone from the time I wrote this post, and I justed waited for the right time to click on the "Publish Post" button.... my own experience and incident in Nashville in second week of July when I went on business trip.   Now that I am back to action at both home and work, fully recovered and normal, I thought I need to publish this post now....For all my friends and family, I am fine, and just doing great as ever!

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30000 feet above sea level, up in the skies , far above the clouds, sitting in the AAflight 882, I could think of nothing more than the human touch, of the events that touched my life since I started to Nashville. The beginning was like any other business trip I made in the past few years, and usual, family were with mixed thoughts to see me leaving for a week, this time, the shortest trip. All was fine the day 1, enjoying the connecting flights over Dallas, and wishing SRG from the skies of the Texas, and above, all it was such a fine flight. To me, being a lover of traveling and visiting new places, I could imagine all good things that I planned to do and exploring the Music City… and if time permits make a visit to Mphesis, to see Graceland…


Tuesday evening, returning from work, never expected the unfolding drama… the wet floor close to the car park of the Marriott hotels, and my thoughtless step made me meet with a unexpected accident, within a minute, I just went and hit the floor straight with my face down to the ground with rock surface, and my specs flew few feet away. I remember yelling in pain. Within seconds, I saw my Nigerian Cab driver Frank running to me and lifting me with such a care and also another guest of the hotel coming to pick my things that fell to the floor, my thought was where is my laptop. I just didn’t think that I was bleeding all over my face, and within seconds I saw the hotel manager and lobby attendant running to my aide with ice cubes. I didn’t realize till then that I was hurt, and hurt badly. They just managed to slowly lift me to the hotel lobby to a much comfortable place, and within 10 minutes, I saw paramedics of 911 respond. They were so quick, that I didn’t even realize that I needed them so badly till they started working on me quickly checking my pulse and other vital signs. They moved me with such a caution to let the parts of the body be there as is, whether broken, bruised or bleeding. I was neatly strapped to the ambulance stretcher and let inside and one of the paramedics picked my stuff carefully. Hotel manager Ted was quick to extend his card to be called in an emergency. Unlike in the accident scenes I have seen in the most of my life, the witnesses waited to give all information than running away. Mine was a very minor one, but the kind of caution, care and attention they showed made me salute them with gratitude. Within 15 minutes, I remember getting rushed to the emergency department of Summit Hospital in Hermitage, where doctors immediately attended. Cleaning up the wounds, and completely confirming that I haven’t broken any of my bones, except a bunch of my bunny teethes, and with gushes of cuts in the face, and broken lips and disintegrated mouth for a minute. .doctors gave back me a much awaited smile.

I never knew being organized helps to a great deal in personal life, every year at the starting of the new diary, I dedicate a page to fill in the emergency details including my contact list, insurance details and blood group, and my fullest wish to donate my eyes and organs in case of an eventuality. As the paramedic kept asking for my name, contact and date of birth and insurance details, all I did was to pull out the dairy from my bag and showed him. He looked at me with a strong surprise. His look had a question , “was I awaiting this to happen?” , I smiled, and told him that it’s my usual practice, especially I keep things handy when I travel. This not only helps ourselves but also makes life of people around us easy. They just didn’t have to call anyone till they were done with the complete medical procedures of fixing my torn skin on the face and doing first aid to my teeth. Suddenly after 3 hours of lying down in the hospital bed and letting the doctors do their duty, I realized, my specs gave up on me, and it’s broken. I obviously cannot make it to the hotel or the pharmacy to buy my prescription alone. A little bit of fear started to creep in, and that’s when the nurse came to me saying that I can go back home the same night after an hour. I told her that I am a guest in Nashville, and don’t have a home but a hotel room awaiting me, before I finished, another nurse came in to say that the hotel security would be on the way to guide me to getting back to the hotel. After an hour, Danny, the elder security of the hotel came to me and said that we can leave. I only saw our God, Lord Sai baba in his way he approached me, took me to the pharmacy to pick my medication and then slowly hold my hands to make me get back to my room. Ted, the manager was awaiting my return. He was so tired, but was so sure, that he desperately waited my coming back. After taking couple of details from me, to file an incident report, he dispersed by getting me milk and water. That’s when I really thought, am getting back to life. Suddenly, I saw my phone red button blinking, saying that I have close to 8 messages waiting. Hoops, I was so sure, that half the calls would be from my little girl. And yes, I tried to be careful not to narrate this whole episode to her and sounded normal on the call, but the minute, Raghu came on line, I could not hold back my tears. I had to tell him not to react but listen to my outpour. He said he would fly down immediately, but I had to stop him from scaring my girl. What a beautiful family, I know nothing will happen to me with them in life and around. Couple of desperate calls from my friend vk and pg, who were trying to touch base with me… and I felt my life so abundant….Sedatives and anestisia, made me slip down into sleep soon after passing on the emotional pain to my perseverant husband.

Next morning, I pulled my energies to mail to my boss and inform my client on the happening, as I don’t want them to search for me when I am on a business trip. Had not my specs given up on me, I would have mustered courage to push me to office, but alas, same time, didn’t want to scare people around with a swollen red face filled with bandages…. Thankfully, I managed to get both the specs and dentures leveled up the next day and again, slipped off to a long and much needed sleep. After a day, I had two choices, either to fly back, or continue with my agenda. Both had its own positives, first one basically will make my man comfortable to the fact that I am back home safe, and can get the required medical attention. Second option, will make my things planned on the trip happen, and also is an opportunity to gain respect with my new project team. I didn’t want to give up on the opportunity and decided to muster courage to continue with my plan. The takeaways are the fact, that no matter what woman goes through, we are also equally professional and tolerant, and keep professional calling above personal hindrances. For lot many people around me, believe that women employees, are not fit to work on tough situations and I always took every single opportunity to prove them wrong and prove us right that we are also professionals no matter what of the gender. Neatly, to me, it is the bonding time with the new client and new team and the team responded to me so well. People came forward to help with setting up the required infrastructure and also making me comfortable all through my remaining stay in Nashville. I always write in my blog and articles that no matter what managers have to be looking beyond projects and especially People. I am always blessed to have had and still have such managers who make my professional life more meaningful. My manager and the administration, friends and colleagues not only shared their empathy but also showered a high confidence and respect and much touching care and affection, that made my commitment stronger and fruitful. I was driven to a totally emotional imbalance when my elder sister cried over phone to hear about this incident, having known her as a strong professional herself and a very strong HR manager, I just didn’t expect this from her, but I think first of all, both my sisters are my best friends and great sisters that to them, what matters most is my well being. To me challenges, are always fun. They keep coming my way every now and then. I love fighting them out. And also moving forward. With such a beautiful bonding of family ties, strong support of my colleagues and ever pouring affection of friends and innate courage and strong will, I know, nothing would deter my determination and dreams.



Few best takeaways are the Western Values that we Indians need to really learn from:



1. Response to emergencies, no matter what act fast – to save that golden hour. Thanks to 911. Promote 108 in India and support NGO’s like Alert who are working for this cause.

2. Help unconditionally, don’t run away from responsibility. Thanks to Marriott

3. No matter, what race or country, be helpful and care. Thanks to Frank. I still remember the incident where accident victims are stolen of their things and are left helpless on the roads.

4. Have proper medical insurance. Thanks to SRG who takes care of our insurance details on the day 1 of our arrival in United States, only wish atleast 90% of Indians are driven towards this objective. Statistics show that less than 21% of Indians only have medical insurance.

5. Be Organized. Especially when you travel, keep your things organized and inplace updated, this helps none other than yourself…. Thanks to Thyself!!!

6. Manage things that are manageable. Don’t make personal hindrances reason for not being committed to professional calling. Be truthful and act appropriately

7. Communicate on time. Inform all people concerned of any incidents that may affect the business plans. Communication is vital when you are not available.

8. Limca Communication - This is giving a bad news in the most softest way possible, I think I goofed up here by describing the incident to my sisters,..Hoops!

Watching B.R.Chopra's Mahabharat ....after close to 15 years again

Last few holidays, I spent my time watching B.R.Chopra's Mahabharat...in fact showing it to my child who was curious to know the characters of the great epic.  I probably could not explain to lot of her questions and found it more interesting and easy to make her watch "Mahabharat" on YouTube.   Believe me, the television scenes that I watched almost 15 years ago were so fresh and alive in front of me, and  it is not about a sharp memory, but the kind of involvement we had those days to this great serial of all times in the history of Indian Television.   As a strong believer, that "Kalachakram" will have answers to all questions, every time I saw the same repeatedly saying how the Past and our own destiny will impact our very future, is in fact a strong lesson to many of us as grown up adults today.

The epic with its poise and grandeur have every thing that no management institution can explain, it has every political angle of administration that no parliament today could adapt every bit of "Rajanithi" proclaimed years and years ago.  

The most important takeaways any day of this great epic would be

• Dharmam (Justice)
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Trust
• Passion and Love
• Determination
• Truthfulness
• Tolerance
• Acceptance
• Perfection
• Timelessness
• Priceless
• Abundance
• Honour and Self-Respect
• Relationships
• Emotions
• People
• Borders and Wars

As a parent, I thought it is my responsibility to introduce this great epic to my child, for few reasons.

1.  Indian History is not only the most ancient but also the most tolerant and politically strong heritage

2.  Every problem will have a solution, and Mahabharat teaches you to think from all angles

3.  Be it your relation, friend, or a teacher, if for Justice, it is right to fight against them.  This is a very big lesson that today's world of selfish and greedily attitudes should learn from this beautiful history of all times

4.  Truth alone wins.  What ever may be the battles of life, stand by truth and it wins

5.  Lot of lessons to handle relationships, emotions, patriotic feelings, war with wisdom and integrity to the land and the people, friendship and sacrifice, secrets and mazes of life, unwind at ease in Mahabharat, which will be difficult to explain to our modern day kids. 

I have grown up watching this great epic, and I strongly believe that lot of my actions and judgements are purely driven by self-conscious effort of what I learnt from this great television serial.  To us, it wasn't a serial, it was a visual way of teaching what no historical books or reading could have done.   Swami Vedanta tries to explain "Bhagavat Geeta" in all his lectures.  BR.Chopra ever lasting Mahabharat should be retelecasted for generations and generations for it is the core of Indian Heritage that all children should be exposed to.   It is an immense treasure of knowledge that every parent should pass on to the children.  For what stands as a testimony to the truth of life, is not the wealth but the wisdom we pass on to our generations to come.  I would request all my friends and readers of this blog to attempt the same, for our children will find direction, a sense of responsibility, an understanding to the lives realities, and a sharp thinking capability to handle any life's given situation.   With all gratitude to the whole team of Mahabharat who are for ever green in the Indian Television history, I end...

Finally Rupee Joins the Elite Club of Currency Symbols

As one of the early blogger and also an initial contestant who submitted my entry on the Indian Rupee Symbol, I am delighted. 

My currency finally has a global face value. Wow... The symbol really looks good despite the controversial statements that went into the discussion on the selection process. Anti-Hindi states may also dislike the new symbol. But the fact is that it is now formal. Easy to adopt. Will find a place on the keyboards may be in the next 2 years. Close to 6 months down the lane, all official communication of the Indian Administration will have this symbol just like $ or any other elite currency.


With the growing economic advancement of India, sooner, I am sure we will also join the elite club of World Nations called as Developed Nations, if not at least as a Developed Economy.   Sooner a day would dawn in the history of India, where valuing its conversion rate against many other global economies would be to the beneficial to the Nation and its citizens.   Also wish this trend would initiate and further provoke  a reverse brain drain to India, bringing back its intellectual strength like never before.  

This is certainly a prideful moment to all of us, for having taken the step to gain our own recognition amongst world economies.  We as Citizens of India, do not only hold this pride, but also our equal responsibility in the upliftment of our brethren in India, eliminate poverty, bring in more prosperity, marvelling scientific and nuclear ability, creating a much dominated  brilliance, energized and educated India, that would surely stand tall with its core ingredients of Unity in diversity, cultural tolerance and secular fabric of the Nation. 

It is the moment, where Swami Vivekananda's worlds in Chicago in 1893 still echos...with the same pride and wisdom..."As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."    This is a small step towards our greater achievements as an emerging World Economical Super Power!!!  Jai Hind!  Jai Ho!!!

Is Jaundice Life Threatening?

Today is one of the disturbing days...hearing the news of a 28 year old colleague in HP, Karthick Sitaraman's death.   Getting succumbed to acute jaundice.  What a unfortunate event leaving behind a young bride of 2 years and a 8 month old daughter.   A very talented software professional, revered to be calm and friendly to his colleagues, with good health habits meeting with this tragedy.  Unbelievable.  

People may jump to conclusions that our stress and lifestyles are the reason behind the health taking a toss.  Most of us in our quest for achievements,  work hard day and night, eating at odd times, sleeping at unearthly hours and keeping life on toes.  Such incidents give it a halt with a jerk.   Since last few years, I have been witnessing such tragedies more,  Radhika,  my friend who died at the age of 28 to Dengue fever,  Sowmya, another colleague at 28, died on diwali night last year with high BP,  Prabhu at the age of 30, passed away with acute ulcer and now Karthick... too tragic for the families and friends.

Coming to Jaundice...today Jaundice have vaccines for our future generations to be prevented from this disease.  Drinking more water and liquids and fruit juices will prevent trouble to the most delicate organ- Liver.  Having been a victim to this very disease during my college days, my mom took me to a "traditional jaundice healer" in Triplicane Chennai.  You have to go to this  doctor early in the morning without food and he would give you the medicine for few days that would heal you.  I remember getting this medication as serial injections, but believe me, it cured the most acute form of illness I suffered...,,which in fact antibiotics could not make me recover.  I think it is Zohari Madani Hospital now, which is at 58 Triplicane High Road, Chennai.    Alternative medicine always had its importance and can be recommended if found appropriate.

Few Precautions that all of us need to know and watch out:-)
1.  Liver is a critical and delicate organ- so watch out your eating habits .  drink lot of fluids
2.  Do not abuse your organs by alcohol abuse or drugs intake
3.  Do not drink sugar cane juices and other drinks sold road side or aerated drinks where the source of water is not good  for they carry the hepatitis virus more
4. Drug metabolism of liver is faster, so use drugs only on prescription and from low doses on recommendation of doctors
5. Please go to doctor immediately when fallen sick and take appropriate steps not to lose the most precious life due to carelessness and negligence.
6. Look at the genetic history of the family and schedule periodic health checkups

I am sure, people died young would not have thought about it at all, they also would have had dreams and aspirations like any of us,  have families and children dependent on them, have colleagues and friends who respected them and miss them and above all, parents who are so unfortunate to witness their beloved one's early passing away.  To all of us, this is again a lesson, to take "STOP" signals like at the every end of a road , and watch out and proceed in life.  The things to watch out are clearly our sleeping patterns, work-life balance, eating habits and lifestyle.  Respect the life that god blessed us with and live it to the fullest with health, happiness and security to our families. 

Spirituality as part of Self-Management

Gone are the days when spirituality is considered as an activity during our last lap of our lives. Today it became quite evident that a bit of self-realization, spiritual understanding is essential to combat the stresses of our every day to day activity. Not only individuals, but also Corporates’and Government is taking measures to bring in ways and means to combat the pressures of the modern world.

Everything in this world is moving at rapid pace. Even the wait at signals for seconds, seems to be too much of a waiting for people. The countdown begins everywhere and for everything. Catching the school bus, carpool on time, swiping in time at offices on time, planned cooking or surviving in pre-cooked food, back to back conference calls and meetings, deadlines and deliverables, just like that updating attendance to social events and functions, doing hundreds of things and not giving a closer watch to anything has become a routine to many people in this modern world.

The end result: Ill-health, unwarranted lifestyles, unsatisfied relationships, broken families, below expected work performances, loss of friends and extended family, lack of social recognition, unplanned finances and meager savings and retirement plans. The outcome: Stress and Burnout.

There is an absolute need to stop. Just stop for a while and re-assess where this life is heading to. Is this stress worth? Speaking to lot of my friends who settled in west over the decades do tell me, that irrespective of the so-called hi-lifestyle and happiness they project to people back home in India, most of them go through immense stress of balancing life within very limited resources, chasing deals and second hand goods, demanding children and socialializing and expectations of the people back home to support, understand and share the wealth, which in reality is just a myth. Finally they end up feeling nowhere, not belonging to the country they left behind, nor totally absorbed in the country they migrated to, for they still want to be Indians, dress that way, eat the Indian food, follow Indian festivals and rituals. The challenge is not being able to break the bridge at some point and adopt in totality. The stress of synchronization is immense in families spread across the world.

So how does the spirituality help in this self- management? The good old rituals of getting up early, eating on time, leaving to work on time, come back by sun set., sit in the verandah and update each other the happenings in the family, spend some time together in prayers, and having family dinners together and sleeping early used to be stress-free. But now, working different time zones, different cultures and different technologies, and companies, have disturbed the whole fabric of a routine life.

Spirituality is all about self-realization. Getting more organized and believing in the strength of a super power that guides us, and reinstating the fact that, “no matter what, what is destined to happen, would happen”. Spirituality in truth understands the purpose of your existence. Visualizing what you want to be today, tomorrow, in the next few years, towards the end of your life. Spirituality is attaining an immense happiness coupled with satisfaction on the life lived...For there is absolutely no evidence that we can relive the life that once gone by?

The spiritual quest can be in any way. Some do meditation and yoga. Some go to temples and spend time. Some go to lectures and gurus for seeking guidance and setting up a path. It is not an entertainment that provides refreshment to life. It is an endeavor to make life more easy and meaningful. Re-questioning oneself time and again, on what is that we want in this life will create a pattern of understanding the urge within. The urge is absolutely connecting to the divine. Here the divine can be of any religion, any practice, any culture, any methodology, any path, but as long as the divine spells out the truth of what you want to achieve in life, it is fine.

Spirituality unknowingly brings in a disciplined way in which each one of us can lead our lives. It connects you not just to any God or Religion of your choice, but to your inner-self. All of us would accept the fact that what we portray in our professional lives, we are not the same in our personal lives. It is not a split personality. It is all about being as expected in professional lives and being natural in personal lives. For example, though I may be angry with my boss, I would still smile at him and say that I would do the task assigned for I may not like the idea of getting into the wrong books…at the same time, I take the liberty to express my anger and frustration with my spouse and do not mind fighting with him openly, for we take our own people for granted. Spirituality gives strength to gain a balance in these two ways of handling a similar issue or expectation.

I always write to myself, that “when it is beyond me, I look upon God”. This goes with the Management concept of “Line of Control”. What is within my ability and line of control can be controlled. What is external to my control, I leave it as an unknown unknown. Same time, make contingency plans and mitigation strategy to handle unknown unknowns. So acceptance of this fact becomes an important way to handle things. Stop getting frustrated for the things not in your control and making adequate space and giving thought to handle known unknowns is possible through a spiritual path. Yoga provides a way of life that helps to maintain good health, physical exercise and mental strength. Prayers provide a solace to people burdened with the day to day stress…the belief that there is super natural power that could help is always a hope and a way of leaving things to an external control and focusing on the things in hand. In one way, some of our ancient practices have a scientific reason and logical meaning to follow even today.

Thus, spirituality as a method of self-management supersedes every other management practice as this control individuals and their way of life. After all management is all about people doing different things in different ways. As long as it is in the most organized and fruitful manner, there is no harm in practicing an old trick that will do the trade :-)

Thanks to Sundar, who suggested that I should write on Spirituality and I thought I would write something that is very much applicable to me as well :-)

Remembering Michael Jackson

An year ago, on this day, June 25th 2009, an SMS that conveyed MJ's death is one of the most unfortunate things happened to all MJ's fans...including me.  To me Michael Jackson is synonym to the western music in my growing years and to me that moment, all the controversies surrounding his life that is ever in spotlight vanished.   It was a moment of respect to the talent and the music he gave to this world.  Nothing else mattered.  His legal battles, his insecurities, his loneliness, his sleeplessness and his overall personality vanished. What remained is a flow of unconditional love in his lyrics and rhythm, a flow of unparalleled level of music and pop, and totally a flow of wave of loss, a feeling of someone who was close to you gone for ever.   I am sure most of the MJ fans would feel it this way.  Eternal.

After coming to California, Los Angeles, to me visiting his final resting place was on my list of things to do.  Now living just 2 miles away from Glendale Forest Lawn and getting a chance to drive through the Glendale avenue quite often, I look at the Cross on the top of the hill that has the FLG with due respect, for it is not just a final home to celebrities of Hollywood including Walt Disney, but now the final home for MJ, and that makes the difference.

One Saturday afternoon,  just drove through the FLG iron gates.  It was an amazing experience, a silence, a kind of reality sinking in, that it is the final destination for mankind. For lot many years, I liked looking at cemeteries and the kind of respect and command they have over people's life's.  That day, I could feel it. As we walked inside the Great Mausoleum, to view the last supper window, it was creepy feeling.  For a moment, surrounded by crypts of the famous and celebrities of the most cherished world,  and the beauty of the Forest lawn, drove a sense of divinity. 

The statues and glass paintings sent in a wave of life in death.  To me it looked like more of a place to celebrate the great lives than mourn for their ending. The best way to cherish any one's memory is to relive their lives in our memories and celebrating it.  To me, visiting forest lawns Glendale was like a transforming experience, awakening the soul's ardent search towards an eternal end.  The struggle for survival in between the two poles of life seemed  be meaningless..., including for that of Michael as he lays untouched in Holly Terrace. 

I know he is there.  Living in an eternal bliss.  Without his fans and family overwhelming him like they did when he was alive.  He is finally having his silent sleep, that no amount of medication, doctors, family , children, fans, friends could not bring in to him when he was alive.  Rest in Peace Michael, you need to now.

Glendale Forest Lawn have its own way of providing peace to his mourners... a chance to celebrate their King of Pop finally in peace.   The serenity, the nature, the mountains, the fountains, the Italian art, the big corridors, the dimmed lights of the arc windows and tall roofs bring in a kind of celebration to the lives that lived larger than life could contain.  

The best respect that can be paid would be not to tress pass into the areas restricted by the Forest Lawn administrators and leave them all in silence and privacy that they for sure deserve in death.   To many, the fitting tribute would be to pay a visit and leave behind the burden or heaviness of having lost someone who was dear to you all the time, for he entertained you and made you sway in his music.   But Michael, would have loved his fans pay him a visit, bring him the flowers he loved, and spread the message of his love. May be one day, his children will open the doors to his final resting place for the public to pay their respects.  Till then, leave him in peace:-)

Love you MJ, Miss your Music.....

For more interesting photographs and writeups on MJ and his final resting place, visit :http://lisaburks.typepad.com/gravehunting/michael-jackson/.  She did a great job by putting it all together....MJ's Fan club of Southern California.

Marshmallows, Red Peppers and Toothpaste - An International Potluck

On the way to Office, this morning, had an interesting topic on the air, on the International Potluck in school. 

Just last night had my plans for my kid's school potluck on Friday, being the last day of the school.   Surprisingly she wanted an traditional Indian Receipe which should not be really Indian...I didnt understand what she meant...may be a traditional receipe in a continental way...I have few more hours to figure that out and send something....unlike a child who took "Marshmallows, Red peppers and Toothpaste" to a potluck in school in Washington D.C to celebrate July 4 Independence Day! Oh Yeah!  The theme for potluck was "American Flag"  and hence translated into Blue Marshmallows, Red Peppers and White Toothpaste.

To me "Outsourcing" Projects almost look like an International Potluck... But believe me, we dont have the option to celebrate with any of the real requirements fulfilled in the real sense.  Infact, I appreciate the child who took MRT for Potluck....for Marshmallows are Blue, Red peppers add color Red and Toothpaste helps kids at the end with White Finish.... and it surely satisfies the potluck need.  But again...Do you think so?

In a true outsourcing project., one classical example.... A project to be used in America, where the requirements are given by business in United States,  the Servers are built in Korea and Japan, the money is funded by China, the technology is supplied by India,  the support is done by Thailand... we expect the project to provide 100% results.  Beyond boundaries of Nations, Cultures, languages, technologies, infrastructure, the whole world of virtual projects deliver an amazingly transforming results.  That is the strength of global projects today.

With an extensive experience in a banking project, where the Global Project was build in India, with requirements coming from close to 25 countries local offices,  and the COTS product supplied by a company in United States,  senior management funding the project sitting in Europe...and finally we tested the swift message printouts in Korea and Australia sitting in office at 4 am in India.... what else can you ask for in a global project. 

It is not only important how you deliver and match requirements, it is also important to provide cost-effective solutions.  It is also important to consider the global stage, people involved, technical challenges, and interfaces that connect beyond country specific regulations and laws.   The challenge is to address the needs of the business taking into control all the factors within the line of control and also planning adequately to manage things beyond control.

If not, we still end up fulfilling the requirements with "Marshmallows, Red peppers and Toothpaste".... at no man's cost!

The Stigma of being barren or unethical practices of Fertility clinics? Growing Menace!

The Stigma of being barren or unethical practices of Fertility clinics? Growing Menace!

Every woman dreams to be a mother at some point of time in life. That makes their life complete, purposeful and more meaningful. It is a pleasure of motherhood that brings in a delight in a woman’s life as she carries her first child. Every woman is physically and mentally in need of this best part of life and more so, for her social needs in countries like India, where women who are barren are looked with a stigma.

Though the country is advancing towards lot of things and scientific fronts, this superstitious unsaid practice of avoiding married women without children to social events, and keeping them in the last of any invitation list and avoiding their participation in any special occasions, besides the parent’s pressure to have a child is still a biggest stigma. The thought of having no one to look after in old age, the thought of being ignored, the thought of being barren is becoming a much worried phenomenon to lot of women who are not blessed naturally to bear children, or driven by circumstances to have later marriages or postponing children to later date giving importance to career, acceptance of family and readiness to take the responsibility of children at young age. Readily available contraception, misconceptions of raising kids, expectations to settle first and coupled with medical issues, infertility issues and economic issues somehow do not make lot of women take right decisions at right time.

People today think it is not too late for anything in life. So for Parenthood too. Coupled with growing infertility centers making exaggerated promises and minting money from the desperate families, end up providing all wrong choices to the women in late forties and beyond. What they fail to understand here is that parenthood is a beautiful responsibility. It is a lifetime bonding. You are responsible for the child’s well being, growth and economic and social survival. The quest of motherhood should not alone being a choice to have kids using any of the infertility centers promoted techniques including IVF, test tube babies and egg donations. The growing trend of new mothers at the age of 50, 60, 70, is now throwing biggest challenges to the medical fraternity. Is it ethical to do or even support such a quest of families?

Unless you are affected by these circumstances, you will not be able to justify the same, but however, there are few things that strongly should be considered by every doctor who encourages his patient couple to go through this process. Their ability to take care of the child at a very late age in life. The oldest new mother in the world is said to be slowly dying at the age of 72 after having given birth to a baby girl when she was 70 years old. Does her responsibility ends by bringing in a child to this world and leaving it at the mercy of her relatives when she is no more physically capable of managing a 2 year old girl. Does the little one not need her parents at least till she is of certain age to handle herself?. What is the guarantee that her so called relatives will take care of the child.

The economic well being itself is not an end to this situation, what the child needs is a lasting parental care during the growing years. Will the doctors ensure that it is there, if by any reasons, the parents pass away? Why should even couples wait till they are that old to have children? Why can’t they adopt a child when they are in middle age and know that they may not have children in the natural way? A growing number of people who are already parents are coming forward these days to adopt another child into the family. Why this mindset is not instigated into desperate couples and gives them a guidance to go about it instead of spending all their life’s earning on an infertility centre that does not bring out to them the reality.

It is unfortunate that I have this very issue in my extended family, but am not able to voice out my opinion strongly and oppose their quest of having child after crossing 50, yet only wish at least the doctors would be sensible to advice them to focus on things that are more practical and real, than giving them false hopes even after 25 years of expectations, heartthrobs, fertility treatments and what not. In today’s world, no one can be guaranteed to be taken care by our children in old age, giving the circumstances of global employments, nuclear families and different situations. So, having children at old age only to wipe out the social stigma really makes no sense.

Infertility is no longer a social taboo or a divine curse. Handling it scientifically, by all means is a blessing to couples who want to be parents.  Only wish, they take the decision at the right time in life, keeping into consideration the well being of the child, health of the mother and socio-economic conditions.  This will help the close to 15% of Indian Population suffering from various infertility problems and provide a solace instead of making this scientific advanced procedures a growing menace in the society. 

Four Things to Avoid in a Resume

A good resume is always a gateway to a good opportunity in the market. 

But why is it that some of the resume really don't impress the recruiters and companies and get rejected most of the time.   Lot of surveys pointed to 4 major points that kill a resume from reaching the right opening. 

As the IT recruitment have speedened in 2010 and lot of people are awakened from the recession slumber, I hope these tips would help people looking out for new jobs.

Pictures or Photos:   Though I would always love to know how you look, as a recruiter it doesn't worry me any longer.  Pictures are a sure no-no in resumes, and good to get a good impression in the first personal interview... Look doesn't matter, but how you carry yourself, your overall personality and your confidence is what would impress recruiters.

Personal Objectives:    Corporates are no longer interested to see what your personal ambition or goal in life is.  You may want to become the CEO of the company in 10 years, but that is not the recruiter's goal.  The corporate goal is important and the skill sets have to match with the recruiter's requirement than your own dreams, aims and vision of the future. 

References :    References often proved to be planned, informed and organized.  So it is not important any longer to add references in the resumes or provided the line "Will be provided on request", for this is no longer a need.  Corporates have their own way of doing background checks and go a way beyond to understand you than what you put in the CV, for  IT security has become an watchword and integrity the biggest essential character in a person to be recruited.

Hobbies and Interests:   Companies having their own fun clubs, sports clubs and corporate community service teams, are no longer interested to see your hobbies or personal interest in the resume, unless they are directly related to the work.   You having 10 different accounts on social media is irrelevant unless you are applying for a post in the team of social innovation or content management of a social media site or a corporate blog.   It is better to avoid this list, as may provide a mis-guided perception that you have many interests that actually divert your focus from the mainstream work :-)

Above all, clear and precise business scenarios that you are capable to handle will add weight age to the resume, than giving a long list of tasks you did. 

Too much or  too little of information do not make any sense. 

Adding significant achievements will make the recruiter know how much you are capable of.  But remember, past glory or history is never taken as a best way to analyze you and recruit you.  So handle it with care.  After all it is your future.....

Why ThyPulchritude?

I have been writing since my childhood., mostly small poems, articles for school magazines, the Hindu young world,  small writeups to Deccan Chronicle,  then essays and papers for seminars..., scripts for skits in college,

and then came ICE Times in my life, where I became a corporate inhouse magazine's writer cum editor and then it expanded to submitting articles to online forums, and found that the vivid interests lead me everywhere but no one place where I can preserve my own thoughts, my own beliefs and pour out my anger, aspirations, awakenings and inner urge. 

In this quest, came out my blog, the one you are reading now.  But slowly, this blog started getting listed into professional forums as a "good to read" blog and at one point, gave me a speed breaker to stop writing anything personal here, or sharing any of my pictures that meant "for me" for future, not for all, kind... for I got many a time teased by my friends as being a little damn open book in life!....

so I wanted a place where I can only put out the things I loved watching, seeing and preserving, ....but no writing..thats a real challenge for a writer like me, who would jus love to scribble out anything and everything that I feel, in words and prose and poem..... so thougth now need a placeholder to lock my pictures in a order of importance as the years go by...and there came in my blog http://www.thypulchritude.blogspot.com/  a home for my pictures, and otherwise lot more "Self" side..... within me lies a bug... a bug that is curious, love being busy, love being tired, love being in stress, love being in dreaming and what not!  Enough now! I guess!!! Stop dear, Stop!!! my hearts' crying now!

Can all Managers be good Leaders and viceversa?

It is my perception that leaders are born where as managers are made!.   Managers are guided by the organizational policies and procedures, structured way of management, guided by the goals and vision, and mostly go by the rule book on assigning tasks, reviewing and measuring performance.  The responsibility ends there strictly speaking.  But modern day managers also try to be good leaders.  

Leaders lead by example.  They try to set a way of working,  maintain their own pattern of dealing with issues, problem solving, team motivation and going out of the box to bring in a bonding, culture, or a phenomenon at the work place.     Leaders can become good managers because of the fact, that they command respect to get the work done without using much of authority or power to get things done.   Leader's exhibition of integrity and self-discipline, guides the team to follow.   Sometimes its because, that the leader himself is hardworking, commitment, punctual and well-organized, the team tends to follow a process in which the leader is working. This is Management by Leadership and not the Management by Objectives like in most cases how it happens with the managers and  the team.

Managers are made because of their experience, education and achievements in the corporate ladder.   Most managers would have been great leaders at times.   Managers necessarily need not have that friendship, bonding, team building,  adoration which leaders usually get from the peers and subordinates.   Leaders can be good managers for their skills of managing people, maintaining equilibrium and ability to get the work done.  Ultimately, it is the relationship of a good manager being a good leader that succeeds.   In the long run, leaders would have draw a line between personal and professional understanding to make good managers.  Assertiveness, proactive control, abiding by corporate requirements make a good leader a successful manager.   

Leaders cannot achieve business success unless they try to be good managers as well, for the passion of a leader has to be combined with the goals of management to bring in a vital factor that can define success.   Bias, discrimination, fan following, friendship, family relationships and such factors cannot come into consideration to both leaders or managers in any business environment.   This does not mean that such bonding should not exist in teams or between managers and subordinates.  But none of these factors should come in between the performance purely in the best interests of the Organizational objectives. 

From my experience, the best of managers are the best of leaders who showed empathy, consideration, motivation and team building.  The best of leaders in the long run became best of managers for they know to handle business priorities coupled with emotional quotient...after all what you deal with are People-  the biggest assets of any Organization.   The Human Potential of an Organization stay motivated, committed and dedicated only when the Senior Management not only acts as good managers but also prove to be good leaders!!

Haunting Bhopal Tragedy Ends With No Solace

25 Years and 15000 confirmed death in the city of Bhopal in India....the tragedy that stuck  on December 2nd 1984 is still a long lasting childhood memory.  Those were the initial days of television in India, and the news papers and magazines dominated our households with news.... the picture that covered the "India Today" magazine haunted me for long not knowing what the heck it was.    The industrial catastrophe that shook the Nation not just a next dawn but for generations to come left a lasting impact on the land of survivors.  Close to 2,00,000 people were affected and became a National health hazard.  Corporate liability and Social responsibility stopped being the words on the walls and documented ethics.  Judiciary and local political environment took its own long time of 25 years to come to final judgement. 

It is heart throbbing to note that the Union Carbide and Dow Chemical Companies ex-employees face a judgement of 2 years imprisonment after 25 years and of 8 convicted, one person already dead.   Why not wait for another 10 years and let the other 7 also have their own natural death???   Children effected by genetic influences still leave a scar on how worse this tragedy could have been?   It is not the question of being judgemental and punishments that matter. 

It is a "High Alert" for industrial safety and ethical responsibility of Corporate when they operate chemical industries close to human habitations.   What may seem to be just a small incident of negligence and carefree attitude leaves a scar on mankind to a certain extent for a life time.   Awakening to the reality, should be drive to check all industry and ensure standards are followed.  No corruption involved to trespass any of the regulations at any of the industrial and manufacturing sites, including waste management, scrap disposal and maintenance of chemicals beyond the permitted limits.   Unless and until this is done throughout India, no tribute would be enough to those whose lives were laid to rest in this bleak tragedy.  RIP to all lives laid in this worst ever gas tragedy in history.

Outsourcing - Pros and Cons! The true dimensions

Outsourcing is not the product of IT revolution in the world.  It is an ancient way of handling the exchange of goods and services.  From the times, the barter system existed, replaced with currency transaction, to today's knowledge era that heads with shared services, shared resources, shared domains, shared cultures, and shared boundaries,...the picture only has just enlarged beyond human comprehension.

With this saga continuing only to grow, it is time to realize the realities beyond this most discussed term.

Outsourcing has its own set of positive things, negative impacts, myths and realities.  If you by any chance, a part of this process, somewhere in your personal or professional life, read further. 

For it makes sense only for people who are bitten by this  bug at some point in their lives,...both for good and bad.

Every parameter will have two dimensions...be it a pro or a con.  Someones pro may be other's con in this cult.  So I don't want to call out any specific parameter as a pro or con.  As a reader, you can decide which is a pro to you or a con... view this from a general perspective.

1.  Economies of scale :  Every organization aims at cost savings to the maximum extent possible.  When recessions hit, and revenues are limited, the only way to show growing profits or maintaining standards is cutting costs.  We all do it in our personal lives too right... same way Corporates look at cheap labour,  more long working employees,  easy infrastructure, shared facilities and anything and everything that would save them another penny.

Example:  A box of chocolates cost me Rs.100 in shop A, the same chocolates cost me just Rs 40 but a mile away, as a consumer, I would prefer driving down a mile for saving Rs 60.  This will be a permanent option if my need is frequent.

2.  Uncompromising Quality:  In this world of competition and growing service providers, quality is no more a concern.  All you need to do is identify where is it available and grab it.   You don't need to live with a substandard goods or services any longer for a better product or a better service is available with many a time lesser price, customized to your needs and on time.

Example:  Chocolate box costing me Rs 100 is now available with free shipping and gift packing for Rs 60, that too delivered ahead of time to the address I prefer.   Any freebie or a discount is always a customer's delight.   Now the distance of one mile doesn't seem to be far at all!

3.  Matching Skills and Technical ability:   Again, in this knowledge era, every day is a learning experience.  There is dying need for keeping the skill sets up to date and technical ability to handle unexpected challenges. 

Example : A corporate used Oracle Forms and Reports for close to 10 years.  One day, management decided to move on to a SAP database.  Instead of the client retraining all of its IT folks to SAP at a huge cost and challenges in terms of adoption to change,  learning and certification, the ideal decision was to outsource it to SAP experts in the field, all packaged for a far better price.  Catering to immediate need, with expertize and low cost. 

4.  No longer commitment:  The outsourcing contracts range anywhere between 3 months to 7 years or even shorter or longer depending upon the type of business and services needed.   But there is no permanent liability like an employment for lifetime in government institutions towards most of the outsourcing deals and hence the question of retaining the employees for longer duration doesn't arise.  Need based management has become a norm today

Example:  My chocolate shop needs to supply chocolate cakes during Christmas season.  If I hire cake making experts, am sure they are of great utility during the season, but what am I do with them after the season is over.   Better is to hire a contractor or outsource to a cake shop to supply for my business on the customer orders.  This way, both of us have our profits shared.

5. Risk and Resource handling:  The risk of non-availability of any given infrastructure needed for a project at a given time, or the biggest challenge of modern day organizations in hiring, retaining and managing resources can be handled effectively in the outsourcing world. 

Example:  My chocolate shop decided to come up with the new moulds for the design of my chocolates.  Instead of me concentrating on making my own moulds, I can prefer buying the common moulds from the market or hire a company designing the moulds to do my customized shapes and designs.  I am not only saving my time and effort on it, probably it is cost-effective many a time, and also to the fact that I am not an expert in that field saves me from screwing up the whole thing.

6.  Accent Neutralization:  World with over 160 countries, thousands of dialects, hundreds of  languages, different ways of business communication throws up a bigger challenge in terms of language and understanding.  Demographic diversity and cultural differences play a major role when all the world's a stage.   There is a need for accent neutralization and common business communication standards, but it is many a time only a nice to have feature and cannot be truly made mandatory.

Example:  For 30 long years, I have spoken English in an accent that my British ancestors left back after ruling India for 200 years.  For a 3 month project in west,  with one week notice, you cannot expect me to change my accent overnight.  That's a reality.   Today, most of the population in the world come across such situations and this instead of a challenge should be a way to respect and regard the fact that I can still speak and write English which is neither my mother tongue nor my country's main language, tolerance to different cultures and ways of living in the world for a common benefit is a need today.   

Facebook has almost 9% of the world's population using the social media, but not sure, if there is any one language that is predominant across the globe.  English treads the world and binds the business communication, but no surprising that it is not the only language that is capturing the world's communication.

7.  Responsibility towards all:  There is an immense social responsibility when it comes to outsourcing world.   Any country that only tries to take cost advantage will lead its Nation towards a negative self-reliance.   The goal of any outsourcing can be cost effectiveness, at the same time, it has a social responsibility to ensure that they do not trigger massive unemployment to local people,  closure of opportunities to grow, and neglect its own corporate responsibility and participation in the economic well being of the Nation.

Example:  I am a farmer, and to help me in cultivation, my labor charged me Rs 1000.   My neighbour's labor promised me to do the same work for Rs 200 and slowly, I started giving all my work to him   He slowly raised his cost, and started to share his services to others as well.  Now I cannot get back my own labor for I already lost his trust and loyalty and the other neighbour's labor is also become costly and shared service.   Finally I end up doing my work, resulting is less productivity,  and borrowing money to run my farming business.   The neighbour comes to my rescue in terms of loan.  I end up in huge debt slowly.  There is no win-win situation..  Does it remind you something????

8. Expertise, knowledge and commitment-   It takes many years to build an expertise in any field, any domain.  Especially in the sectors of manufacturing, chemical engineering, bio-medical, paramedics, civil science and scientific studies, it takes years of experience and continuous learning to build a knowledge level.  The outsourcing will trigger a transition process and with a limited timeline. Can the entire knowledge be shared and digested?

Example:  I built a system for over 5 years, investigating in to many aspects of the business, doing loads of research and collecting valuable data.  After 5 years, my company is sold of to an outsourced corporate. And I am axed.  In the transition period of 3-6 months, how much will I be able to truly transit to the new people handling it in future.   Is there a good enough?   Am I satisfied that my baby will be taken care properly, or is the other person comfortable doing it with the knowledge he had to digest all at a time. I don't know.

9. Relocation and Collaboration:  People travelling to the other side of the world has become common in outsourcing parlance.   The myths of cultural shocks is no more predominant with the world become smaller and smaller day by day.   Yet, it is not totally non-existence as well.  Right from the way your dress, food you eat, places where you live, time zone difference, catering to multiple teams spread across the globe on a single team, virtual world has become a reality.   A stronger collaboration and organizational support on relocation would provide relief to people involved in this process.   Professional challenges would become manageable when personal needs are taken care of.

10.  Where do I belong?   The feeling of employee restlessness coupled with new environment challenges grows when there are communication bottlenecks in a team spread across the globe.   Assurances from the home office that you still belong there, makes employees work with more dedication and focus at client locations.   Regular business updates, weekly status calls,  personal motivations, recognition beyond borders,  participation in technical forums, contributing to organizational updates, continuous learning, equal opportunities in terms of recognition, promotion and growth in the corporate ladder  motivate the employees who take that extra mile to work under stressful circumstances.   Corporate responsibility includes accountability to all people in the organization irrespective of their place of work.  This will erase the day to day challenges in the lives of managers who are managing outsourcing project world over!

Good Luck!   Outsourcing should be a strength to the world economy and not a threat!

Disclaimer:  Please note that this do not have any indication to the way my organization works, or the experience from my clients.  The examples and view points are all my own out of years of experience in multiple business environments with multiple traditional and cross cultural teams.

Agile Way of Requirements Management

Need for Agile Concepts

1. Shifting from the traditional way of software development
2. Avoid huge cost of poor or misplaced requirements
3. Stop creating artifacts that mean nothing to the project in reality
4. Make recommendations on solutions during requirements
5. Optimum Utilization of all available resources with iterative approach
6. Create requirements that are on priority first
7. Cost advantage balanced with technology availability
8.  Managing reasources spread across the globe
9.  Avoiding wastage of time, efforts and resources
10. Do only what is good enough!

Agile Principles in Requirements Management - as defined by Forrester Research

1. Be Lean

Add Value, Eliminate Waste, Fit-to-Purpose

2. Iterate

Breakdown Work products,  Progressive Definition, Just Enough!

3. Use Pictures

Less Text and more visualization, flow charts, wireframes and prototypes

4. Collaborate

Team Orientation, Business and IT coordination and Trust.

5.  Accept Change

Anticipate, Accept, Involve and  Proactive Management


Challenge is

Having the experience of having handled requirements that need huge documentation and process effort, and also having practised the Agile way of handling requirements in a more leaner, progressive development, interim user reviews, fixed and simple templates, change control and collobrate multi-cultural, multi-regional teams, I find doing the second one, makes not only better sense, but also a practical approach going forward.  But the challenge is to make this a practice and people at large accepting the framework.   This provokes a change in the Organizational DNA having the traditional ways of handling software delivery.

A Tribute to Rita Mulcahy

Experts and Aspirants of Project Management would know that a woman was making waves in bringing about great books on the Project Management and PMP certification close to last 2 decades. Rita Mulcahy. First I opened her book, I thought what a negative approach..but later when I went through the pages, I realized that it is not an negative tone of a writer, but a mitigation plan of going negative in the most valued certification in the world. Unless you know the pitfalls, you will not be able to control them, mitigate them and make contingent plans to avoid such lapses. She proved to be a great writer, a global speaker and above all a good human being.

In her last post on the Twitter account just a day before she died on 15th May 2010, she wrote "Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. The sun is finally out here in the Midwest!". In her pain and courage fighting a 5 year old cancer and catering to the needs of 7 and 5 old kids at home, she managed to bring out 10 great books to the community she believed in translating leadership with her team at RMC. This shows that here was a woman, who looked at sunshine all through her life setting examples of courage, managing time, balancing in all ways possible, both her personal and professional priorities with such a frail health.

No day would be more appropriate to pay our respects than today as she is laid to rest, to a woman of substance who not only promoted her books and webinars, project management courses and seminars but stand as a testimony, that no matter what, a true interest, strong leadership, an active elicitation always elevate our expectations in her, even after she reached God's greatest shore.  She will live for long in her books and followers... in everything she left behind.

10 Steps of Problem-Solving for Project's Success

Gautam Gandhi of Google tells managers to look for Problems than ideas for success in any business. The same applies to Projects too. Here are the 10 ways of Problem Solving that could help Projects focus on the end objectives there by initiating good performance and successful completion.

1. Early Identification: A good project manager will give a strong emphasis on identifying issues and constraints at a very early stage in a project. These may in turn become risks and shop stoppers if not identified and handled proactively.

2. Back up Plan: In today's dynamics of the industry, it is very important to have a fall back plan. No one should be indispensable, be it human resources, technology or infrastructure. Which means that a manager should identify alternatives and workarounds for every given scenario that can contribute to the good or bad of a project.

3. Motivated and Dependable Teams: A dedicated team is the need of any Project. But how far are we able to achieve this in the real life scenario? Temptations of the job offers, dis-pleasure due to market ups and downs, frustrations due to slow career growth make people not stay focused on the work entrusted up. It is the responsibility of a manager to be a good people manager and understand their professional issues, talk openly, provide options, ensure their growth, motivate them and most importantly, protect their best interests at all times, especially shield them from trauma of a projects fire fighting modes and provide a good environment where they can work with enthusiasm, motivation and strong dedication.

4. Seek Expert Opinions: Most of us waste time trying to find solutions on our own. Every organization will have a knowledge repository that is not fully utilized. Be it technical or people issue, there will be workarounds and white papers published to guide you on the best possible solutions. Ask for guidance and expert opinion. When you discuss problem with SMEs, you will find quick and most relevant answers.

5. Handling unknown unknowns: Known unknowns are identified early and are documented with mitigation plans as part of risk management. It is a real test for a manager to handle unknown unknowns. Look at it as an opportunity than get threatened as a show stopper. Throw to your team for volunteers to handle a particular issue, and believe me, there may be a silent guy in your team who would actually come out with a best solution. Anything that is confidential, financial issue or a very sensitive people issue, better always to follow the Organizational Policy.

6. Document Issues, Solutions and Outcomes: This not only help to create a good lessons learnt, but also help the teams to look back and feel pride on how many issues and problems they were able to cross. This motivates the team to handle any kind of challenges in the future. Its all about expertize coming out of experience.

7. Communication: One of the most essential project management aspect is communication. If something is getting delayed, be courageous to let the stakeholders know it is advance, than to cut a sorry face later. Do not be silent. In the west Silence is considered as all is fine, and the things would happen as planned. So be explicit to inform in advance if there is an issue. Good communication and on time communication have saved many projects from failures.

8. Follow Process: Most of us in the urge to achieve the tasks on time, take processes for granted. Though it may appear that processes are lengthy, they in fact set the projects on track. Give right inputs in Audits, for they would guide you to find solutions for non-compliance items at an early stage. This would help the projects to achieve end customer satisfaction which is vital to business.

9. Innovation and Creativity: Encourage team members to find innovative solutions that have optimum cost benefits. Using of latest technology, agile methods and reuse of existing components not only save time and cost, but also lot of effort and give scope for new innovations. Today's best of organizations in the world are those that give predominance to their research and development. Innovation comes from all layers of the organization in the form of Knowledge briefs, technology paper presentations and seminars participation.

10. Be Composed and Focused: Best of solutions seem to come up in the most composed situations. Do not transfer your tensions to the team. Good managers will find ways to understand customer's frustration and needs. And think logically on the solutions that are deserved. In most of the times, when you think from other person's shoes, you find answers than to think from your side keeping constraints and issues in hand. Staying focused on problems actually mean staying focused to find solutions and alternatives that can ease out the friction or show stopping scenarios. Utmost patience, clear thinking, thinking out of box and showing proactive approach to problems than reactive behaviour will ensure good problem solving for Project's success.

How I wish problem solving is made as one of the processes in the Project Management world...for am sure there is lot to be done than said. A true leadership is seen with good problem solving capability....Cheers!

10 Suggestions for Aspiring PMPs

I wrote these 10 suggestions as part of mentoring a friend who is aspiring to be a PMP shortly. After writing down the mail, realized that these lessons learnt will be helpful to many like her who would need guidance.

First of all congrats for those all aspiring to be a PMP... for it is a great certification and also a greater responsibility when you handle projects.

Here are the guidelines.

1. Register in PMI.ORG site for PMI membership by paying around 130 $, including membership to local Chapter with additional minimal amount.

2. Being a PMI member and also a local chapter member will get you access to PMBOK guide which is the bible to PMP. Download that from the site and start reading. Plan 15 days to just give it a layman reading for the first time and start writing down notes as you finish each chapter

PMBOK is a real repository at the same time, reading 500 pages is a very tiring exercise for the first time without a break. But do it

3. Then contact any local PMP registered training centers...I did attend the boot camp with PMI Chennai Chapter which was very good. The material and guidance given was great. Attend the class only after you finish PMBOK at least twice. This may cost you anywhere between Rs. 11000- 12500 depending on where you would do. PMI Chennai chapter gives discounts to their chapter members.

4. Now is the time you can buy books to assist you in your preparation. I would recommend Andy Crowe's PMP Pass on First Try or Rita for reference. PMI site itself got lots of books and being a PMI Member gets you free access to 24*7 book store where you can find reference material on subjects like Risk Planning, Earn Value Management and Procurement

5. Once your finish attending mandatory training (boot camp) with any of the registered PMI partner institutions, please register for the exam having a date in mind. Check the PMI site for exam fee details.

6. Exam application itself is a lengthy process for you to map all your relevant project experience and education evaluation and the 35 hours mandatory course certificate you get from the boot camp. So have your details drafted out clearly as you start filling in the application form.

7. Now that you set your D Date in calendar and pay the exam fee to the nearest centre through prometric website. Concentrate on your preparation

8. Read the 42 processes in the given order carefully. Concentrate and recognize the flow of each process and their inputs and outputs along with tools and techniques. Once you are done with it, write down the formulas at least 5 times to memorize. This will help you during the exam

9. Read PMBOK once again, finish reading Andy Crowe and Rita or any other reference book. Read the chapter material (boot camp) thoroughly once

10. Answer all practice questions in all these books. Now is the time to take the online practice exams with 4 hours for 200 questions. Take this practice test seriously, for these tests help you get used to the exam tension. Check the online 360degree test; you can do one on PMStudy website, and one on Andy Crowe book. Then take up Oliver Lehman 175 questions which are toughest. Identify your weak areas and read those relevant chapters carefully to fill in the gaps.


The Day before the exam, relax, read the process chart, formulas, glossary for definitions, eat well, and sleep early.

On the day of the exam, keep yourself tension free, eat a good breakfast and schedule a exam around noon so that you will have time to revise your formulas and processes chart and head to your exam centre well in advance. Don’t forget to take your photo id card and the exam letter you received from the prometric centre. Besides everything put your experience and common sense and attention to best use for it will help clear PMP on first try with your preparation and experience.

During the exam, try taking a break for 2-3 minutes after every 1 hour. This will not only help you get refreshed but also help you concentrate better during the rest of the exam. Try not getting distracted with anything around you. Use the tutorial time to brain dump any formulas or processes that you would like to refer during exam in the sheets given to you in the examination centre. Maintain utmost integrity and fullest attention in the best of 4 hours of your life that would bring in the most valued and cherished three letters behind your name: PMP!!!

All the best
Please let me know if you need any help, for I would love to mentor people aspiring for certifications. Good luck

KPIs important for Project Success and Strategic Goals?

Once again, the trigger to the title of this post is a discussion forum, where Project Managers identify that KPIs are different from Strategic Goals. I agree.
They are..but in the Big Picture of any organization, it is the Vision of the Company that translates as a Strategic Goal and there by further sub divides as Goals of various Customer Centers or Accounts, various divisions of the Organization.... further micro divided into Programs and sub divided into Projects. Each Project Team has a set of goals that are shared or divided amongst the Project teams. Which means that what you and me as individual contributors or team players have as our Key performance indicators, some how is a micro minuscule objective of the larger organizational strategic goals matching with our enlarged vision.

It is like all the building blocks in a game, that make the final outcome a picture perfect finish.... the same applies to the goals and achievements of individuals that translate towards larger organizational objectives. At micro level, the KPIs achieved translate as your appraisal results be it in the terms of bonus, salary hikes, promotions, level changes etc. At macro level, the enlarged KPIs termed as Strategic goals of an Organization result in Profits, New Businesses, Strategic decisions and further expansion or downsizing of business,.. encouraging areas that are profitable and further motivating areas that need improvement.

Individual KPI's matter mostly to the progress of individuals in the project teams of any company. Group KPI's represent profit earning for the business division it is part of. Strategic goals achieved or not achieved depends when all these threads are pulled together.

The biggest difference is, if an individual fails to achieve his or her own objectives for the year, it effects only him to a larger extent and where all there is a dependency it may effect the project performance. This is where a good Project Manager would always have a mitigation plan with resource backup planned adequately to avoid any kind of disturbance to project's success because of few low performing individuals.

But, if the Strategic vision or the Goal of the Organization is failed, it effects each and everyone involved in the organization including employees, customers, and every stakeholder whose business is linked with the organization. This usually happens when there is a pool of low performing individuals impacting the bigger goals without adhering to policies and procedures, contributing to business losses and not anticipating risks and there by pushing the organizations towards low performance and failures.

Thus, each one of us are responsible to the tasks assigned to us, should make full effort to achieve our own Key Performance Indicators set as objectives of the year, there by contributing to the larger pool of success as an Organization.

Best Mother's Day Gift

As a mother, I always had fascinating experiences and my child surprised me with her most touching ways possible. Especially on my birthdays, wedding anniversary, new years and now with Mother's day phobia on...infact I dont like celebrating Mother's day, father's day, lover's day and so on,,...for they are not the occasions but the very relationships of our every day life and the purpose of our living.... yet, dont want to discourage her little moments that she brighten's up my day many a times...here is just what I got today from her...the most beautiful and cherished handmade poster that I am sure is the best mother's day gift I could ever get...Love you Aish...its because of you I am what I am today...for you inspire me, encourage me and love me like no one else could do:-)

Death Sentence to Kasab... Another Story of Long Awaiting

Indian Judiciary system is one of the most slowest and lengthiest process in the world.... The courts are piled up with cases that just don't have an ending. Indian jails are over crowded with not just convicts and prisoners on punishment, but by the people awaiting the end result of never ending legal battles... Recently there was a story of one man taken into custody in his teens and after close to 2 decades proved not guilty and released...whose fault is that he lost his entire life awaiting a judicial end point???

32 mercy plea petitions are still on Madam President's table and the longest is said to have been filed in 1998... 12 years and there is no decision by our President and council of Ministers under section 72 of our constitution.... 3 Presidents have changed in this time frame but nothing happened so far... the worst of the convicted are the 2001 parliament attack Afzal Guru and Nithari Killers still not executed even after the fury of the general public against atrocities committed by them. 9 out of 10 terrorists in the Mumbai 26/11 attacks died the same day and Kasab deserves the same being part of it,....so why give a provision without immediate implementation of the death penalty, why should a Nation's terrorist be given a chance for re-appeal after 18 months of judicial trail and with 80 out of 86 charges proved with substantial evidence...If we do not act strictly against such very open terrorists... where are we heading to in our fight against the wrong doings?

One side, the media forgot about the Moists attacks in Dantewada Massacre killing 73 CRPF personnel and not sure when those innocent souls will even get justice...the other side thousands of soldiers are fighting all sorts of infiltration in our borders,....but our media and regulatory bodies are concerned about Sania Mirza's half baked receptions, IPL matches and scandals, kites actors semi nude pictures, and funniest Rahul Mahajan and Rakhi Sawantsss....Common guys, wake up the realities that matter to millions in our country....

To us what matters is the Peace in our Nation, Security in our Borders, Fastening the process of legal battles, providing justice to the victims of terror, making India a welcoming place for tourists and travellers. Both our Law and Justice, Governance and Administration should aim at achieving this and should clear the backlog of the court battles to bring in Justice on time... at least during the lifetime of the victims to feel relieved..or else the justice that happens will not help anyone in the game:-)